overutilize

verb

over·​uti·​lize ˌō-vər-ˈyü-tə-ˌlīz How to pronounce overutilize (audio)
overutilized; overutilizing

transitive verb

: to utilize (something) too much : to use (something) excessively or too frequently
overutilizing medical services
overutilizes credit cards
overutilization noun
plural overutilizations
The main reason for our rising health care costs had been overutilization Bryan Burklow

Examples of overutilize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The urge to intervene in places of peripheral concern to U.S. interests, to overreact to threats, to overutilize military force in dealing with terrorists and others—these outlasted Obama. Jordan Michael Smith, The New Republic, 23 Aug. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overutilize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overutilize was in 1875

Dictionary Entries Near overutilize

Cite this Entry

“Overutilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overutilize. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

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